[Letters From the Labyrinth] Brian Keene 175

I'm Brian Keene and this is the 175th issue of Letters From the Labyrinth, a weekly newsletter for fans of my work. Previous issues are archived here.
END OF THE ROAD came out this week. It's my loving ode to the horror genre, the people who work in it, and the fans who support it. It's also a book about America. I pitched it as a cross between Stephen King's Danse Macabre and Hunter S. Thompson's Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail. And that's exactly what it turned out to be.
It is the best book I've ever written and ever will write.
I know each of you have your favorites, and I know what most of them are, but I'm telling you -- it's better than THE RISING. It's better than GHOUL. It's better than DARKNESS ON THE EDGE OF TOWN and THE COMPLEX and TERMINAL and DARK HOLLOW and EARTHWORM GODS and URBAN GOTHIC and THE LOST LEVEL and KILL WHITEY and CITY OF THE DEAD. It's even better than THE GIRL ON THE GLIDER.
Seriously.
END OF THE ROAD is the one book I absolutely needed to write before I die. There are others that I'd like to finish, but it will be okay if I don't. But if I had died without finishing END OF THE ROAD, I would have haunted myself. I'm proud of this book. And it is my sincere hope that each of you enjoys it.
Copies have shipped to all who pre-ordered it. There are still copies in the warehouse, fo those who didn't. Here's all the official information.
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"My name is Brian Keene. I'm a writer by trade and a road warrior by heart. Neither of these things are wise career or life choices. The tolls add up.
Over the last twenty years, things have changed. Book tours have changed, publishing has changed, bookselling has changed, conventions have changed, horror fiction—and the horror genre—have changed. I've changed, too.
The only things that haven't changed are writing and the road. They stay the same. The words we type today are the past tomorrow. Everything is connected like the highways on a map are connected. This holds true for the history of our genre, as well.
I rode into town twenty years ago. Now I'm riding out. You're all coming with me..."
So begins Brian Keene's END OF THE ROAD — a memoir, travelogue, and post-Danse Macabre examination of modern horror fiction, the people who write it, and the world they live—and die—in. Exhilarating, emotional, heartfelt, and at times hilarious, End of the Road is a must-read for fans of the horror genre. Introduction by Gabino Iglesias.
Published as a Signed Hardcover Limited Edition:• Limited to just 750 signed and hand-numbered copies
• Personally signed by the author on a unique signature page
• Printed on 60# acid-free paper
• Bound in full-cloth with colored head and tail bands
• Featuring hot foil stamping on the front boards and spine
• Printed and bound with full-color endpapers
• Smyth sewn to create a more durable binding
• Wrapped in a full-color dust jacket
• Limited ONE TIME printing of this special edition
• Retail price just $40!
SPECIAL BONUS ITEM WITH PURCHASE!
Every copy of this book purchased on CemeteryDance.com will include a FREE special bonus Limited Edition chapbook, On the Road with Brian Keene by John Urbancik.
In stock and shipping now! CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE YOUR COPY
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This week was spent working on a new short story called "Rosemary's Baby Monitor" which was suggested to me during a conversation with Josh Malerman. You might think that, given the title, it's a comedic story, but it's not. It's quiet, psychological horror in the style of Ramsey Campbell or T.M. Wright, and as such, it is kicking my ass. I'd hoped to post it to Patreon this week, but I need another few days to work on it and get things just right. So much of the story is dependent on sound, and that is a tricky thing to replicate in prose.
I also worked on edits for THE SEVEN: THE LABYRINTH, Book 1. This will be the print version of the novel which was first serialized on Patreon several years ago. The hardcover will be out later this year from Thunderstorm Books, followed by a paperback and e-book.
And I also worked on this still untitled Levi Stoltzfus thing (I call it a thing because it doesn't know if it wants to be a short story or a novella yet), which I've begin calling "The Little People of Centralia" in my head, but I'm not sure that title will stick.
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CURRENTLY READING: Survivor Song by Paul Tremblay
CURRENTLY WATCHING: The Color Out of Space (2019)
CURRENTLY LISTENING: Office Ladies podcast
I recently finished reading Night As A Catalyst by Chad Lutzke. This is the first book I've read by Chad (as a solo author -- I've read a collaboration he was involved with). I really enjoyed it, and recommend it for anyone who is a fan of short stories.
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This newsletter goes out to thousands of people for free, but I have to pay to have it produced and sent. If you fancy buying me a coffee or a beer, click this link. No pressure, and no biggie if you don't want to. I'm happy you're here, regardless.
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This Week's Podcasts:
GRADY HENDRIX AND CRAIG SHAW GARDNER - The Horror Show with Brian Keene - Ep 254
Grady Hendrix and Craig Shaw Gardner discuss weird movies you've never seen but probably should. Plus, Brian discusses the recent staff upheaval at DC Comics.
Listen for free on iTunes – Spotify – Project Entertainment– iHeartRadio – Stitcher - YouTube
DEFENDERS DIALOGUE - Ep 91
Cowboys and Kaiju! The King of the Monsters makes his way through the American west as Christopher Golden and Brian Keene recap Marvel's Godzilla issues 15 through 17.
Listen for free on iTunes – YouTube – Project Entertainment – iHeartRadio – Stitcher
There will be some big changes announced in the next week or two, involving The Horror Show with brian Keene, Defenders Dialogue, Cosmic Shenanigans, and Grindcast. Stay tuned for that...
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Hey, forget the coronavirus! Signing and convention season is starting.
On March 28, starting promptly at noon, I'll be doing a Q&A and a signing with Mary Sangiovanni, Kelli Owen, Matt Wildasin, and Stephen Kozeniewski at Air Studio - West Shore Farmer’s Market, located at 900 Market St in Lemoyne, PA 17043. We will be recording the Q&A for The Horror Show with Brian Keene podcast, so here is your chance to be heard by thousands of people. I'll have copies of SHADES, SCHOOL'S OUT, END OF THE ROAD, EARTHWORM GODS, BLOOD ON THE PAGE, ALL DARK ALL THE TIME, and LOVE LETTERS FROM A NIHILIST for sale. You can also bring books from home to be signed. You will also be able to get limited edition Brian Keene balloons!
And then in April, if you live anywhere near Racine, Wisconsin or if you ever had the urge to visit Racine, Wisconsin, join me, Mary, Kelli, Jonathan Janz, the cast of Sons of Anarchy, and many more April 17 — 19 at Scares That Care Wisconsin! Click here for hotel details and the complete guest list.
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That's it for this week. As always, a few reminders:
PATREON - Where I post new short stories, writing advice essays, two serialized ongoing novels, and behind-the-scenes stuff.
TWITTER - The only social media outlet I still use regularly.
YOUTUBE - Where I'm posting free stuff each week.
I'll see you back here next week!